Reeling device and reeling method

ABSTRACT

A reeling device includes: a left spool body; a right spool body; and a yarn transfer mechanism. A first rotation axis of the left spool body and a second rotation axis of the right spool body are parallel to each other, and a position of the left spool body around which the yarn-shaped body is to be wound and a position of the right spool body around which the yarn-shaped body is to be wound are arranged side by side on a first imaginary plane orthogonal to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. After a hollow yarn collection is formed in the left spool body, a yarn-shaped body leading portion of the yarn transfer mechanism moves the yarn-shaped body from the left spool body to the right spool body along the first imaginary plane.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a reeling device and a reeling method.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to device and methodfor continuously and automatically forming a yarn-shaped body sentcontinuously from a preceding step, into a collection of the yarn-shapedbody. Here, the term “yarn-shaped body” refers to one or two or moresolid yarns or one or two or more hollow yarns.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been conventionally known that a device for forming a collectionof a yarn-shaped body employs a method of rotating a polygonal spoolbody to reel the yarn-shaped body and moving the yarn-shaped body toanother spool body after the yarn-shaped body is reeled a predeterminednumber of times. PTL 1 discloses a device in which a plurality of spoolbodies are supported to each have a rotation axis in parallel with arotation member and the rotation member is rotated to replace a spoolbody located at a reeling position. Further, PTL 2 discloses a device inwhich two spool bodies are arranged side by side so as to be coaxial toa rotation axis, and a yarn-shaped body is moved in the rotation axisdirection. In each of the devices, the rotation of the spool body havingthe yarn-shaped body reeled a predetermined number of times is stopped,and then the collection of the yarn-shaped body is cut off from thespool body, thus resulting in a state in which reeling can be startedagain. By repeating this, a continuous process can be performed.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 6371079-   PTL 2: Japanese Patent No. 4343633

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

From a viewpoint of production efficiency, it is important to attain asmall ratio of wasted yarn. When removing the collection of theyarn-shaped body from the polygonal spool, a certain length of thecollection of the yarn-shaped body needs to be discarded in the vicinityof a vertex of the polygon. This ratio can be made smaller as the spoolbody is made larger; however, in the case of the reeling devicedisclosed in PTL 1, structurally, when the spool body is made large, thereeling device becomes extremely large, which is not economical.

In the reeling device disclosed in PTL 2, the two spool bodies need tobe disposed face to face each other. On this occasion, a sufficientspace cannot be secured in front of each spool body, thus resulting inproblems in terms of arrangement of a device in a subsequent step,operability, and maintainability. When a configuration is employed asmeans for solving this problem to temporarily convey, to a wide space,the spool body having the yarn-shaped body reeled the predeterminednumber of times, a device mechanism becomes complicated.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reeling deviceand a reeling method so as to continuously and automatically form ayarn-shaped body sent from a preceding step into a collection of theyarn-shaped body while attaining such features that a ratio of wastedyarn is small, a device mechanism is simple, a device for a subsequentstep is readily arranged, and operability and maintainability areexcellent.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of a reeling device of the present disclosure, areeling device that reels a yarn-shaped body includes: a first spoolbody rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second spool bodyrotatable about a second rotation axis; and a yarn transfer portioncapable of moving the yarn-shaped body between the first spool body andthe second spool body, wherein the first rotation axis of the firstspool body and the second rotation axis of the second spool body areparallel to each other, and a position of the first spool body aroundwhich the yarn-shaped body is to be wound and a position of the secondspool body around which the yarn-shaped body is to be wound are arrangedside by side on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first rotation axisand the second rotation axis, and after a collection of the yarn-shapedbody reeled a predetermined number of times is formed in the first spoolbody, a yarn-shaped body leading portion of the yarn transfer portionmoves a yarn from the first spool body to the second spool body alongthe imaginary plane.

Each of the first spool body and the second spool body has a polygonalshape.

Each vertex of the first spool body and the second spool body isprovided with a vertex grasping mechanism that grasps the collection ofthe yarn-shaped body having been reeled.

An internal grasping mechanism that grasps the yarn-shaped body sentfrom the yarn transfer portion is provided in each of the first spoolbody and the second spool body.

The reeling device reels the yarn-shaped body by rotating the firstspool body and the second spool body in opposite rotation directionswhen viewed in a direction in which each of the first rotation axis andthe second rotation axis extends.

Each of the first spool body and the second spool body is capable ofsimultaneously switching the reeling of the yarn-shaped body in two ormore rows.

According to an aspect of a reeling method of the present disclosure, amethod of reeling a yarn-shaped body includes: a first step of reelingthe yarn-shaped body in the first spool body; a second step of movingthe yarn-shaped body to the second spool body by the yarn transferportion; and a third step of reeling the yarn-shaped body in the secondspool body.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, there can be provided a reelingdevice and a reeling method so as to continuously and automatically forma yarn-shaped body sent from a preceding step into a collection of theyarn-shaped body while attaining such features that a ratio of wastedyarn is small, a device mechanism is not complicated, a device for asubsequent step is readily arranged, and operability and maintainabilityare excellent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a configuration of areeling unit according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an operation of thereeling device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the reeling device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an operation of thereeling device according to the first embodiment when viewed in plan.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a vertex clamping mechanism in anon-fixed state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the vertex clamping mechanism in afixed state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a yarn transfer mechanism according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the yarn transfer mechanism according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating an internal clamping mechanism in afixed state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating the internal clamping mechanism ina non-fixed state in the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A reeling device and a reeling method according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be described below with reference to figures. Inthe embodiments described below, when reference is made to a number, anamount, or the like, the scope of the present disclosure is notnecessarily limited to the number, the amount, or the like unlessotherwise stated particularly. The same components and correspondingcomponents are denoted by the same reference characters, and the sameexplanation may not be described repeatedly. It has been initiallyexpected to appropriately combine configurations in the embodiments.

In the description below, the left hand side when reeling unit 100 isviewed from the front side is described as “left” and the right handside when reeling unit 100 is viewed from the front side is described as“right”; however, this is intended to facilitate understanding of thecontents of the present disclosure and is not construed as limiting tothe “left” and “right”.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a configuration of areeling unit 100 according to a first embodiment. Reeling unit 100 isconstituted of a reeling device 1, a looseness absorption device 2, atension control device 3, a film winding device 4, a yarn collectioncutting device 5, and a yarn collection processing device 6. Anoperation of each device is controlled by a PLC (Programmable LogicController) (not shown). In FIG. 1 , for ease of understanding, part ofthe facility is omitted.

Looseness absorption device 2 is a device that absorbs looseness of ayarn-shaped body sent from a yarn production device (not shown). In thefirst embodiment, it will be illustratively described that theyarn-shaped body sent from the yarn production device is a bundle of aplurality of hollow yarns (for example, ten and several hollow yarns);however, the yarn-shaped body sent from the yarn production device maybe one hollow yarn. The yarn-shaped body sent from the yarn productiondevice may be one or two or more solid yarns. Thus, the yarn-shaped bodyis a reference amount of yarns sent from the yarn production device.Tension control device 3 is a device that controls an amount of feedingof the yarn-shaped body to reel the yarn-shaped body with a constanttension in reeling device 1.

Reeling device 1 is a device that reels, using two spool bodies eachhaving a polygonal shape, the yarn-shaped body having passed throughtension control device 3. Film winding device 4 is a device that winds afilm around a hollow yarn collection, which is a collection of theyarn-shaped body reeled by reeling device 1. Yarn collection cuttingdevice 5 is a device that cuts, using a rounded cutting edge, the hollowyarn collection around which the film has been wound.

Yarn collection processing device 6 is an device that performs processessuch as: a process of supplying a film to film winding device 4; aprocess of moving film winding device 4 to a position of a spool body;and a process of fixing (attaching a tape to) overlapping portions ofthe film wound around the hollow yarn collection.

Reeling device 1 according to the first embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 . FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram forillustrating an operation of reeling device 1 according to the firstembodiment, FIG. 3 is a front view of reeling device 1 according to thefirst embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating theoperation of reeling device 1 according to the first embodiment whenviewed in plan.

Reeling device 1 includes: a left spool body 10L serving as a firstspool body and provided on the left side when viewed in the front view;and a right spool body 10R serving as a second spool body and providedon the right side when viewed in the front view. Between left spool body10L and right spool body 10R, a yarn transfer mechanism 20 is disposedto serve as a yarn transfer portion capable of moving yarn-shaped body 7in the leftward/rightward direction. Each of left spool body 10L andright spool body 10R is operated by a servo motor provided with a speedreducer (not shown). In each of left spool body 10L and right spool body10R, internal clamping mechanisms 30 each serving as an internalgrasping mechanism are provided to grasp yarn-shaped body 7 having beenmoved by yarn transfer mechanism 20. Two internal clamping mechanisms 30are disposed in each of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R atpositions facing each other. One internal clamping mechanism 30 may bedisposed in each of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R;however, consideration needs to be taken to achieve a weight balance ofthe spool body. Further, the number of the internal grasping mechanisms(internal clamping mechanisms 30) disposed therein may be the samenumber as the number of (the vertices of) the polygon.

Reeling device 1 is operated in the order of FIG. 2 (A) to FIG. 2 (E).As shown in FIG. 2 (A), at the time of starting the reeling, reelingdevice 1 moves yarn transfer mechanism 20 grasping yarn-shaped body 7from a center position to left spool body 10L. Yarn-shaped body 7 havingbeen moved to left spool body 10L by yarn transfer mechanism 20 isgrasped by internal clamping mechanism 30 of left spool body 10L. Afteryarn-shaped body 7 is grasped by internal clamping mechanism 30 of leftspool body 10L, yarn transfer mechanism 20 releases yarn-shaped body 7having been grasped by yarn transfer mechanism 20, and is moved to thecenter position.

As shown in FIG. 2 (B), reeling device 1 reels yarn-shaped body 7 aroundthe vertexes of left spool body 10L by rotating left spool body 10Lrightward (clockwise). Reeling device 1 stops the rotation after reelingyarn-shaped body 7 a predetermined number of times in left spool body10L so as to form a hollow yarn collection 70 that is a collection ofthe yarn-shaped body reeled the predetermined number of times. Hollowyarn collection 70 is, for example, a collection of a hollow yarn reeledabout 10,000 times and used as a product. Reeling device 1 then graspshollow yarn collection 70 at the vertexes of left spool body 10L usingvertex clamping mechanisms 11 each serving as a vertex graspingmechanism. Details of vertex clamping mechanisms 11 will be describedlater. FIG. 2 (C) shows only a vertex clamping mechanism 11 at aposition at which yarn transfer mechanism 20 grasps among vertexclamping mechanisms 11 located at the positions of the vertexes.

As shown in FIG. 2 (C), reeling device 1 moves yarn transfer mechanism20 from the center position to left spool body 10L. Yarn transfermechanism 20 grasps yarn-shaped body 7 and cuts yarn-shaped body 7 at aposition below the grasping position. As shown in FIG. 2 (D), reelingdevice 1 moves yarn transfer mechanism 20 grasping yarn-shaped body 7,from left spool body 10L to right spool body 10R.

Yarn-shaped body 7 having been moved to right spool body 10R by yarntransfer mechanism 20 is grasped by internal clamping mechanism 30 ofright spool body 10R. After yarn-shaped body 7 is grasped by internalclamping mechanism 30 of right spool body 10R, yarn transfer mechanism20 releases yarn-shaped body 7 having been grasped by yarn transfermechanism 20, and is moved to the center position.

As shown in FIG. 2 (E), reeling device 1 reels yarn-shaped body 7 aroundthe vertexes of right spool body 10R by rotating right spool body 10Rleftward (counterclockwise). Reeling device 1 stops the rotation afterreeling yarn-shaped body 7 a predetermined number of times in rightspool body 10R so as to form a hollow yarn collection 70. Reeling device1 forms hollow yarn collections 70 in left spool body 10L and rightspool body 10R by the series of operations shown in FIGS. 2 (A) to 2(E).

As shown in FIG. 3 , in reeling device 1, left spool body 10L and rightspool body 10R are disposed adjacent to each other on the front sidewith respect to a wall surface 50 when viewed in a front view. Vertexclamping mechanisms 11 are provided at the respective vertexes of eachof the regular hexagonal shape of left spool body 10L and the regularhexagonal shape of right spool body 10R. Internal clamping mechanisms 30are disposed at positions facing each other in each of left spool body10L and right spool body 10R.

In each of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R, six armportions 10Y are connected to a main body portion 10X. Notches 10Z areformed in main body portion 10X at positions corresponding to thepositions of arm portions 10Y having internal clamping mechanisms 30disposed thereon. Each of notches 10Z prevents blocking of movement ofyarn transfer mechanism 20 when yarn transfer mechanism 20 is translatedbetween left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R to transferyarn-shaped body 7 to internal clamping mechanism 30. Yarn-shaped body 7to be reeled by reeling device 1 is adjusted by tension control device 3so as to be reeled with a constant tension.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in reeling device 1, left spool body 10L is rotatedabout a first rotation axis CL1, and right spool body 10R is rotatedabout a second rotation axis CL2. First rotation axis CL1 of left spoolbody 10L and second rotation axis CL2 of right spool body 10R areparallel to each other. A first groove portion 11 b, which is a positionof left spool body 10L around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to be wound,and a first groove portion 11 b, which is a position of right spool body10R around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to be wound, are arranged side byside along a first imaginary plane VS1 orthogonal to first rotation axisCL1 and second rotation axis CL2. A second groove portion lie, which isa position of left spool body 10L around which yarn-shaped body 7 is tobe wound, and a second groove portion 11 e, which is a position of rightspool body 10R around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to be wound, arearranged side by side along a second imaginary plane VS2 orthogonal tofirst rotation axis CL1 and second rotation axis CL2. First imaginaryplane VS1 and second imaginary plane VS2 are located in a directionperpendicular to a plane of sheet. As shown in FIG. 4 , left spool body10L and right spool body 10R are arranged in rows orthogonal to firstimaginary plane VS1 and second imaginary plane VS2.

Yarn transfer mechanism 20 includes a first yarn transfer portion 20Flocated on the front side and a second yarn transfer portion 20R locatedon the rear side. First yarn transfer portion 20F includes a first rightleading portion 20 d and a first left leading portion 20 f. Second yarntransfer portion 20R includes a second right leading portion 20 h and asecond left leading portion 20 j. First yarn transfer portion 20F ismoved leftward/rightward along first imaginary plane VS1. Second yarntransfer portion 20R is moved leftward/rightward along second imaginaryplane VS2. For example, after hollow yarn collection 70 is formed inleft spool body 10L along first imaginary plane VS1, first right leadingportion 20 d of first yarn transfer portion 20F moves yarn-shaped body 7from left spool body 10L to right spool body 10R. Vertex clampingmechanism 11 includes a first vertex clamping portion 11F located on thefront side and a second vertex clamping portion 11R located on the rearside.

After hollow yarn collection 70 is formed in left spool body 10L,reeling device 1 grasps hollow yarn collection 70 at first vertexclamping portion 11F and second vertex clamping portion 11R located onthe rear side. After hollow yarn collection 70 is formed in left spoolbody 10L and hollow yarn collection 70 is grasped by vertex clampingmechanism 11, yarn transfer mechanism 20 grasps yarn-shaped body 7 sentfrom the tension control device 3 side and cuts yarn-shaped body 7.First yarn transfer portion 20F of yarn transfer mechanism 20 is movedleftward/rightward along first imaginary plane VS1. Second yarn transferportion 20R of yarn transfer mechanism 20 is moved leftward/rightwardalong second imaginary plane VS2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , each of left spool body 10L and right spoolbody 10R can simultaneously reel yarn-shaped body 7 in two rows. Asshown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , yarn transfer mechanism 20 can simultaneouslymove yarn-shaped body 7 in two rows.

In this way, reeling device 1 can simultaneously switch the reeling ofyarn-shaped body 7. It should be noted that reeling device 1 may beconfigured to simultaneously switch the reeling of yarn-shaped body 7 inthree or more rows. [0034] (Vertex Clamping Mechanism 11) Each of vertexclamping mechanisms 11 of the first embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6 . FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating vertexclamping mechanism 11 in a non-fixed state in the first embodiment, andFIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating vertex clamping mechanism 11 in afixed state in the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , vertex clamping mechanism 11 includes: a vertexclamping main body portion 11 a connected to each of arm portion 10Y ofleft spool body 10L and arm portion 10Y of right spool body 10R; a firstvertex clamping portion 11F located on the front side; and a secondvertex clamping portion 11R located on the rear side. First vertexclamping portion 11F includes: first groove portion 11 b; a front vertexclamping member 11 c rotatable about a first supporting portion 11 d;and a front auxiliary member 11 t rotatable about first supportingportion 11 d. Second vertex clamping portion 11R includes: second grooveportion 11 e; a rear vertex clamping member 11 f rotatable about asecond supporting portion 11 g; and a rear auxiliary member 11 urotatable about second supporting portion 11 g.

In vertex clamping mechanism 11, two tension springs (not shown) aredisposed at a lower portion on the rear surface side. A tension springlocated on the front side is connected at a position below frontauxiliary member 11 t, and is disposed to be rotatable about a thirdsupporting portion 11 p. A tension spring located on the rear side isconnected at a position below rear auxiliary member 11 u, and isdisposed to be rotatable about a fourth supporting portion 11 s.

Vertex clamping mechanism 11 includes: a first locking member 11 qrotatable about third supporting portion 11 p; a second locking member11 r rotatable about fourth supporting portion 11 s; and a vertex stemportion 11 o that connects between first locking member 11 q and secondlocking member 11 r.

Vertex clamping mechanism 11 includes: a clamping cylinder 11 h disposedinside wall surface 50; and a release cylinder 11 i disposed inside wallsurface 50. Clamping cylinder 11 h includes a first pushing member 11 jthat can protrude frontward. Release cylinder 11 i includes a secondpushing member 11 k that can protrude frontward. Second locking member11 r includes: a first receiving member 11 m to be brought into abutmentwith first pushing member 11 j having protruded frontward; and a secondreceiving member 11 n to be brought into abutment with second pushingmember 11 k having protruding frontward.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the following describes: an operation ofvertex clamping mechanism 11 grasping hollow yarn collection 70; and anoperation of vertex clamping mechanism 11 releasing hollow yarncollection 70 having been grasped by vertex clamping mechanism 11.Vertex clamping mechanism 11 operates clamping cylinder 11 h in thenon-fixed state shown in FIG. 5 so as to protrude first pushing member11 j frontward. First pushing member 11 j is brought into abutment withfirst receiving member 11 m by the frontward movement. As shown in FIG.6 , first receiving member 11 m connected to second locking member 11 ris moved frontward with respect to fourth supporting portion 11 s.

First pushing member 11 j pushes first receiving member 11 m and thenreturns to the initial position. As shown in FIG. 6 , second receivingmember 11 n connected to second locking member 11 r is moved rearward byan distance corresponding to a distance in which first receiving member11 m has been moved frontward. As second receiving member 11 n is movedrearward, vertex stem portion 11 o connected to second locking member 11r is moved rearward with respect to fourth supporting portion 11 s. Asvertex stem portion 11 o is moved, first locking member 11 q connectedto vertex stem portion 11 o is moved rearward with respect to thirdsupporting portion 11 p.

In vertex clamping mechanism 11, by the series of operations of firstlocking member 11 q and second locking member 11 r, the tension springlocated on the front side and the tension spring located on the rearside are moved upward while being rotated. Front auxiliary member 11 tis moved upward with respect to first supporting portion 11 d by thetension of the tension spring located on the front side. As frontauxiliary member 11 t is moved, front vertex clamping member 11 c ismoved from the non-fixed position shown in FIG. 5 to the fixed positionshown in FIG. 6 with respect to first supporting portion 11 d.

Rear auxiliary member 11 u is moved upward with respect to secondsupporting portion 11 g by the tension of the tension spring on the rearside. As rear auxiliary member 11 u is moved, rear vertex clampingmember 11 f is moved from the non-fixed position shown in FIG. 5 to thefixed position shown in FIG. 6 with respect to second supporting portion11 g. Since each of front vertex clamping member 11 c and rear vertexclamping member 11 f is moved from the non-fixed position to the fixedposition, vertex clamping mechanism 11 can grasp hollow yarn collection70 at two positions in the frontward/rearward direction.

Vertex clamping mechanism 11 performs the operation of releasing hollowyarn collection 70 having been grasped by vertex clamping mechanism 11,in the following order. Vertex clamping mechanism 11 operates releasecylinder 11 i in the fixed state shown in FIG. 6 to protrude secondpushing member 11 k frontward. Second pushing member 11 k is broughtinto abutment with second receiving member 11 n by the frontwardmovement. As shown in FIG. 5 , second receiving member 11 n connected tosecond locking member 11 r is moved frontward with respect to fourthsupporting portion 11 s.

Second pushing member 11 k pushes second receiving member 11 n and thenreturns to the initial position. As shown in FIG. 5 , first receivingmember 11 m connected to second locking member 11 r is moved rearward bya distance corresponding to a distance in which second receiving member11 n has been moved frontward. As second receiving member 11 n is movedfrontward, vertex stem portion 11 o connected to second locking member11 r is moved frontward with respect to fourth supporting portion 11 s.As vertex stem portion 11 o is moved, first locking member 11 qconnected to vertex stem portion 11 o is moved frontward with respect tothird supporting portion 11 p.

In vertex clamping mechanism 11, by the series of operations of firstlocking member 11 q and second locking member 11 r, the tension springlocated on the front side and the tension spring located on the rearside are moved downward while being rotated. Front auxiliary member 11 tis moved downward with respect to first supporting portion 11 d by thetension of the tension spring located on the front side. As frontauxiliary member 11 t is moved, front vertex clamping member 11 c ismoved from the fixed position shown in FIG. 6 to the non-fixed positionshown in FIG. 5 with respect to first supporting portion 11 d.

Rear auxiliary member 11 u is moved downward with respect to secondsupporting portion 11 g by the tension of the tension spring located onthe rear side. As rear auxiliary member 11 u is moved, rear vertexclamping member 11 f is moved from the fixed position shown in FIG. 6 tothe non-fixed position shown in FIG. 5 with respect to second supportingportion 11 g. In vertex clamping mechanism 11, front vertex clampingmember 11 c and rear vertex clamping member 11 f are moved from thefixed position to the non-fixed position, thereby releasing hollow yarncollection 70 at the two positions in the frontward/rearward direction.

(Yam Transfer Mechanism 20)

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , yarn transfer mechanism 20 according to thefirst embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of yarntransfer mechanism 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is aside view of yarn transfer mechanism 20 according to the firstembodiment.

Yarn transfer mechanism 20 includes: a main body portion 20 a extendingfrom wall surface 50 toward the front side; first yarn transfer portion20F located on the front side; and second yarn transfer portion 20Rlocated on the rear side. First yarn transfer portion 20F includes afirst right guiding portion 20 c, first right leading portion 20 d, afirst left guiding portion 20 e, and first left leading portion 20 f.Second yarn transfer portion 20R includes a second right guiding portion20 g, second right leading portion 20 h, a second left guiding portion20 i, and second left leading portion 20 j. Yarn transfer mechanism 20is operated by a robot cylinder disposed in wall surface 50.

When yarn transfer mechanism 20 is moved rightward, yarn-shaped body 7located on frontward on the right side is moved along first rightguiding portion 20 c and is led to first right leading portion 20 d.When yarn transfer mechanism 20 is moved leftward, yarn-shaped body 7located frontward on the left side is moved along first left guidingportion 20 e and is led to first left leading portion 20 f. When yarntransfer mechanism 20 is moved rightward, yarn-shaped body 7 locatedrearward on the right side is moved along second right guiding portion20 g and is led to second right leading portion 20 h. When yarn transfermechanism 20 is moved leftward, yarn-shaped body 7 located rearward onthe left side is moved along second left guiding portion 20 i and is ledto second left leading portion 20 j.

Yarn transfer mechanism 20 includes a cylinder portion 20 k, and a yarntransfer stem portion 20 q connected to cylinder portion 20 k. Firstyarn transfer portion 20F includes a first fixed clamping portion 20 m,a first movable clamping portion 20 n, and a first yarn cutting edge 20p. Second yarn transfer portion 20R includes a second fixed clampingportion 20 r, a second movable clamping portion 20 s, and a second yarncutting edge 20 t. Yarn transfer stem portion 20 q is operatedintegrally with first movable clamping portion 20 n, first yarn cuttingedge 20 p, second movable clamping portion 20 s, and second yarn cuttingedge 20 t.

Yarn transfer mechanism 20 performs the operation of grasping and movingyarn-shaped body 7 in the following order. After hollow yarn collection70 is formed in left spool body 10L, yarn transfer mechanism 20 is movedfrom the center position to a vertex position of left spool body 10L inthe horizontal direction. Before moving yarn transfer mechanism 20, therotation of left spool body 10L is stopped at an appropriate positiondetected by a sensor that detects an angle of the rotation axis of leftspool body 10L disposed inside wall surface 50.

Between first fixed clamping portion 20 m and first movable clampingportion 20 n and between second fixed clamping portion 20 r and secondmovable clamping portion 20 s, yarn transfer mechanism 20 graspsyarn-shaped body 7 sent from tension control device 3 and having reachedthe vertex position of left spool body 10L. Yarn transfer mechanism 20can grasp yarn-shaped body 7 by an operation in which first movableclamping portion 20 n and second movable clamping portion 20 s are movedrearward as yarn transfer stem portion 20 q is moved rearward bycontrolling cylinder portion 20 k. Yarn-shaped body 7 grasped is cut byfirst yarn cutting edge 20 p and second yarn cutting edge 20 t at aposition below the grasping position.

Yarn transfer mechanism 20 is horizontally moved while graspingyarn-shaped body 7, and transfers yarn-shaped body 7 to internalclamping mechanism 30 of right spool body 10R. Before moving yarntransfer mechanism 20, the rotation of right spool body 10R is stoppedat an appropriate position detected by a sensor that detects an angle ofthe rotation axis of right spool body 10R disposed inside wall surface50.

The appropriate position is a position at which internal clampingmechanism 30 of right spool body 10R can grasp yarn-shaped body 7conveyed from yarn transfer mechanism 20.

(Internal Clamping Mechanism 30)

Internal clamping mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 . FIG. 9 is a diagram forillustrating internal clamping mechanism 30 in the fixed state accordingto the first embodiment.

Internal clamping mechanism 30 includes: a pair of coupling portions 30f fixed to arm portions TOY of left spool body 10L and right spool body10R; a main body portion 30 a connected to the pair of coupling portions30 f; a first internal clamping portion 30F located on the front side; asecond internal clamping portion 30R located on the rear side; and aninternal stem portion 30 g.

First internal clamping portion 30F includes a first fixed clampingportion 30 c, a first movable clamping portion 30 b, and a first springportion 30 m. Second internal clamping portion 30R includes a secondfixed clamping portion 30 e, a second movable clamping portion 30 d, anda second spring portion 30 n. Internal stem portion 30 g is operatedintegrally with first movable clamping portion 30 b and second movableclamping portion 30 d. Internal clamping mechanism 30 includes acylinder 30 h disposed inside wall surface 50. Cylinder 30 h includes apushing member 30 i that can protrude frontward.

Internal clamping mechanism 30 performs an operation of graspingyarn-shaped body 7 in the following order. Internal clamping mechanism30 operates cylinder 30 h in the fixed state shown in FIG. 9 to protrudepushing member 30 i frontward. Pushing member 30 i is brought intoabutment with an end portion of internal stem portion 30 g by thefrontward movement.

In first internal clamping portion 30F, internal stem portion 30 g ismoved frontward against a restoring force of first spring portion 30 m,thereby forming a clearance between first fixed clamping portion 30 cand first movable clamping portion 30 b as shown in FIG. 10 . In secondinternal clamping portion 30R, internal stem portion 30 g is movedfrontward against a restoring force of second spring portion 30 n,thereby forming a clearance between second fixed clamping portion 30 eand second movable clamping portion 30 d as shown in FIG. 10 .

Yarn transfer mechanism 20 moves yarn-shaped body 7 to the clearanceformed in each of first internal clamping portion 30F and second movableclamping portion 30 d. Internal clamping mechanism 30 operates cylinder30 h to return pushing member 30 i rearward. Internal clamping mechanism30 is changed from the non-fixed state shown in FIG. 10 to the fixedstate shown in FIG. 9 by the restoring forces of first spring portion 30m and second spring portion 30 n. Since internal clamping mechanism 30is brought into the fixed state, internal clamping mechanism 30 graspsyarn-shaped body 7 at each of first internal clamping portion 30F andsecond internal clamping portion 30R.

[As to Reeling Method]

Referring to FIG. 2 again, a method of reeling yarn-shaped body 7 willbe described. The reeling method includes: a first step of reelingyarn-shaped body 7 in left spool body 10L; a second step of movingyarn-shaped body 7 to right spool body 10R by yarn transfer mechanism20; and a third step of reeling yarn-shaped body 7 in right spool body10R.

The first step includes a step of moving, at the time of starting thereeling, yarn transfer mechanism 20 grasping yarn-shaped body 7 from thecenter position to left spool body 10L, and grasping the movedyarn-shaped body 7 by internal clamping mechanism 30 of left spool body10L. The first step includes a step of releasing, after yarn-shaped body7 is grasped by internal clamping mechanism 30 of left spool body 10L,yarn-shaped body 7 having been grasped by yarn transfer mechanism 20,and moving yarn transfer mechanism 20 to the center position. The firststep includes a step of reeling yarn-shaped body 7 around the vertexesof left spool body 10L a predetermined number of times by rotating leftspool body 10L rightward (clockwise), so as to form hollow yarncollection 70 and then stopping the rotation.

The second step includes a step of moving yarn transfer mechanism 20from the center position to left spool body 10L, grasping yarn-shapedbody 7, and cutting yarn-shaped body 7 at a position below the graspingposition. The second step includes a step of grasping yarn-shaped body 7by yarn transfer mechanism 20 and moving yarn transfer mechanism 20 fromleft spool body 10L to right spool body 10R.

The third step includes a step of grasping, by internal clampingmechanism 30 of right spool body 10R, yarn-shaped body 7 having beenmoved to right spool body 10R by yarn transfer mechanism 20. The thirdstep includes a step of releasing, after yarn-shaped body 7 is graspedby internal clamping mechanism 30 of right spool body 10R, yarn-shapedbody 7 having been grasped by yarn transfer mechanism 20, and movingyarn transfer mechanism 20 to the center position. The third stepincludes a step of reeling yarn-shaped body 7 around the vertexes ofright spool body 10R a predetermined number of times by rotating rightspool body 10R leftward (counterclockwise), so as to form hollow yarncollection 70, and then stopping the rotation.

[Functions and Effects]

Reeling device 1 according to the present embodiment includes: leftspool body 10L rotatable about first rotation axis CL1; right spool body10R rotatable about second rotation axis CL2; and yarn transfermechanism 20 capable of moving yarn-shaped body 7 between left spoolbody 10L and right spool body 10R. First rotation axis CL1 of left spoolbody 10L and second rotation axis CL2 of right spool body 10R areparallel to each other. First groove portion 11 b, which is a positionof left spool body 10L around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to be wound,and first groove portion 11 b, which is a position of right spool body10R around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to be wound are arranged side byside along first imaginary plane VS1 orthogonal to first rotation axisCL1 and second rotation axis CL2. Second groove portion lie, which is aposition of left spool body 10L around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to bewound, and second groove portion lie, which is a position of right spoolbody 10R around which yarn-shaped body 7 is to be wound, are arrangedside by side along second imaginary plane VS2 orthogonal to firstrotation axis CL1 and second rotation axis CL2. First yarn transferportion 20F is moved leftward/rightward along first imaginary plane VS1.Second yarn transfer portion 20R is moved leftward/rightward alongsecond imaginary plane VS2. For example, after hollow yarn collection 70is formed in left spool body 10L by reeling a predetermined number oftimes, first right leading portion 20 d of first yarn transfer portion20F moves yarn-shaped body 7 from left spool body 10L to right spoolbody 10R along first imaginary plane VS1.

Reeling device 1 is configured such that left spool body 10L and rightspool body 10R are arranged in rows orthogonal to first imaginary planeVS1 and second imaginary plane VS2, and yarn transfer mechanism 20 ismoved between left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R. Thus, sincereeling device 1 does not have a rotation member that supports a spoolbody, the spool body is designed to be large readily, with the resultthat a ratio of wasted yarn can be reduced. Further, since a sufficientspace can be secured in front of the spool body in reeling device 1, adevice for a subsequent step is readily disposed (without employing aconfiguration for temporarily conveying, to a wide space, a spool bodyhaving yarn-shaped body 7 reeled a predetermined number of times), andoperability and maintainability are excellent. Further, reeling device 1can continuously and automatically form, into hollow yarn collection 70,yarn-shaped body 7 sent from the preceding step.

Each of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R has a hexagonalshape. With such a polygonal shape in reeling device 1, internalclamping mechanism 30 can be disposed on an internal side with respectto the reeling position as compared with a two-point reeling method or acircular reeling method, thereby reducing such a risk that a startingportion of yarn-shaped body 7 is introduced into a product. Further,when the speed of yarn-shaped body 7 is fast, the number of the vertexesof the polygon is preferably large in the reeling device; however, whenthe number of the vertexes of the polygon is too large, there is a riskof occurrence of the following problem or the like: yarn-shaped body 7is brought into contact with the spool body when taking the positionshown in FIG. 2 (D), with the result that the yarn is cut. In view ofsuch a problem, reeling device 1 employs the hexagonal shape as anappropriate shape in which yarn-shaped body 7 is not brought intocontact with the spool body and the number of sides is as large aspossible.

At each vertex of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R, vertexclamping mechanism 11 is provided to grasp hollow yarn collection 70having been reeled. Therefore, reeling device 1 can appropriately grasphollow yarn collection 70 at each vertex.

Internal clamping mechanism 30 that grasps yarn-shaped body 7 sent fromyarn transfer mechanism 20 is provided in each of left spool body 10Land right spool body 10R. Therefore, reeling device 1 can appropriatelygrasp yarn-shaped body 7 in each of left spool body 10L and right spoolbody 10R.

Reeling device 1 reels yarn-shaped body 7 by rotating left spool body10L and right spool body 10R in opposite directions when viewed in thedirection in which each of first rotation axis CL1 and second rotationaxis CL2 extends. Therefore, reeling device 1 can transfer yarn-shapedbody 7 from left spool body 10L to right spool body 10R in a shortmoving distance. Further, since reeling device 1 can reel yarn-shapedbody 7 in an internal direction, yarn-shaped body 7 can be reeledsuitably without damaging yarn-shaped body 7.

Reeling device 1 is capable of simultaneously switching the reeling ofyarn-shaped body 7 in two or more rows. In reeling device 1, left spoolbody 10L and right spool body 10 are arranged in rows orthogonal tofirst imaginary plane VS1 and second imaginary plane VS2. Therefore, inreeling device 1, since no jump stitch is not generated at the time ofthe simultaneous switching of yarn-shaped body 7 in the plurality ofrows, wasted yarns are not increased, with the result that an intervalbetween the spool bodies can be appropriately designed. Accordingly,reeling device 1 can increase production efficiency when forming hollowyarn collection 70.

The reeling method includes: the first step of reeling yarn-shaped body7 in left spool body 10L; the second step of moving yarn-shaped body 7to right spool body 10R by yarn transfer mechanism 20; and the thirdstep of reeling yarn-shaped body 7 in right spool body 10R. By such areeling method, a ratio of wasted yarn can be reduced, a devicemechanism can be simplified, a device for a subsequent step can bedisposed readily, and operability and maintainability can be improved.Further, by such a reeling method, yarn-shaped body 7 sent from thepreceding step can be continuously and automatically formed into hollowyarn collection 70.

Other Embodiments

For each of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R, a spool bodyhaving a polygonal shape other than the spool body having the hexagonalshape may be used. For each of left spool body 10L and right spool body10R, a two-point spool body that reels at two points may be used. Foreach of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R, a spool bodyhaving a circular shape may be used.

It has been illustratively described that each of left spool body 10Land right spool body 10R is capable of simultaneously reelingyarn-shaped body 7 in two rows. Each of left spool body 10L and rightspool body 10R may be configured to reel yarn-shaped body 7 in one row.Each of left spool body 10L and right spool body 10R may be configuredto simultaneously reel yarn-shaped body 7 in three or more rows.

Yarn-shaped body 7 may be reeled in the following order: yarn-shapedbody 7 is reeled in right spool body 10R, yarn-shaped body 7 is thenmoved to left spool body 10L by yarn transfer mechanism 20, andyarn-shaped body 7 is reeled in left spool body 10L.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive inany respect. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the termsof the claims, rather than the embodiments described above, and isintended to include any modifications within the scope and meaningequivalent to the terms of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1: reeling device; 2: looseness absorption device; 3: tension        control device; 4: film winding device; 5: yarn collection        cutting device; 6: yarn collection processing device; 7:        yarn-shaped body; 10L: left spool body; 10R: right spool body;        10X: main body portion; 10Y: arm portion; 10Z: notch; 11: vertex        clamping mechanism; 11F: first vertex clamping portion; 11R:        second vertex clamping portion; 20: yarn transfer mechanism;        20F: first yarn transfer portion; 20R: second yarn transfer        portion; 30: internal clamping mechanism; 30F: first internal        clamping portion; 30R: second internal clamping portion; 50:        wall surface; 70: hollow yarn collection; 100: reeling unit;        CL1: first rotation axis; CL2: second rotation axis; VS1: first        imaginary plane; VS2: second imaginary plane.

1. A reeling device that reels a yarn-shaped body, the reeling devicecomprising: a first spool body rotatable about a first rotation axis; asecond spool body rotatable about a second rotation axis; and a yarntransfer portion capable of moving the yarn-shaped body between thefirst spool body and the second spool body, wherein the first rotationaxis of the first spool body and the second rotation axis of the secondspool body are parallel to each other, and a position of the first spoolbody around which the yarn-shaped body is to be wound and a position ofthe second spool body around which the yarn-shaped body is to be woundare arranged side by side on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the firstrotation axis and the second rotation axis, and after a collection ofthe yarn-shaped body reeled a predetermined number of times is formed inthe first spool body, a yarn-shaped body leading portion of the yarntransfer portion moves a yarn from the first spool body to the secondspool body along the imaginary plane.
 2. The reeling device according toclaim 1, wherein each of the first spool body and the second spool bodyhas a polygonal shape.
 3. The reeling device according to claim 2,wherein each vertex of the first spool body and the second spool body isprovided with a vertex grasping mechanism that grasps the collection ofthe yarn-shaped body having been reeled.
 4. The reeling device accordingto claim 1, wherein an internal grasping mechanism that grasps theyarn-shaped body sent from the yarn transfer portion is provided in eachof the first spool body and the second spool body.
 5. The reeling deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the reeling device reels the yarn-shapedbody by rotating the first spool body and the second spool body inopposite rotation directions when viewed in a direction in which each ofthe first rotation axis and the second rotation axis extends.
 6. Thereeling device according to claim 1, wherein the reeling device iscapable of simultaneously switching the reeling of the yarn-shaped bodyin two or more rows.
 7. A method of reeling a yarn-shaped body using thereeling device according to claim 1, the method comprising: a first stepof reeling the yarn-shaped body in the first spool body; a second stepof moving the yarn-shaped body to the second spool body by the yarntransfer portion; and a third step of reeling the yarn-shaped body inthe second spool body.